Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe This Season

You know, in the excitement of the holiday season sometimes we forget that things that to us are festive and fun, can be dangerous or even deadly to other family members. Here are some things to watch out for so Fido, Kitty and all can have a safe and happy holiday.

Open Doors. It’s Christmas, people are coming and going, doors get left open and it can be like an invitation to wonderland for your pet. Soooo……how about putting a sign on the door (both sides of the door) to remind family and friends to keep it closed. And watch out when opening the door for those package deliveries. It only takes a moment for some four-legged critters to slip out.

Decorations. Treasured heirlooms dangling on the Christmas tree can be the most wonderful toys! At least, that’s what your pet might think but in fact, they can be downright dangerous. Biting on a glass ornament or getting tinsel wrapped around the intestines could result in an expensive visit to the vet rather than a cozy evening by the fire.

Angelhair and snow flock can also be toxic to your pet and cause eye and skin irritation.

Christmas Tree. If you must have a tree then the safest thing is to put it in a room where your pet is not allowed. At the least, hang ornaments high on the tree. The tree will look a little weird but the dog will be safer. That won’t work for cats, however, they’ll just do what cats do and climb!

On the subject of climbing, you should anchor your tree. I learned the hard way that just one cat can topple a six-foot fir when he’s determined to climb to the top.

And if you have a live tree, be sure to cover the water it’s in. Not only if you’ve added preservative to the water but pesticides and other chemicals can leech from the trunk, so you don’t want your pet to drink from it.

Gift Wrap. Ribbons and bows look lovely on the gifts but can be chewed and swallowed, causing choking. Be careful, too, of foil wrapping paper. The foil can be like a razor if ingested.

And don’t be tempted to tie a bow around Fifi’s neck. It can get caught or, if you have multiple dogs as I do, it’s all too easy for one of them to get hold of the bow during play and tighten it round the other dog’s neck.

Food. I know you want to treat your pets, after all it is Christmas. But feeding chocolate to Fido and Fluffy and the ferret can cause severe theobromine toxicity. Even your hamster can get sick if he chews on laurel leaves (dried leaves are popular in wreaths and such). So be aware of the many foods that can give your pet more than a little indigestion and, to be absolutely safe, stick with his regular diet.

And whatever you do, don’t let your dog or cat have the cooked bones from the roast. Cooked bones can splinter and lodge in the throat or intestines, which means pain and even death to your pet and another expensive visit to the vet!

Be sure to let visitors know they must not feed your pet. If you can’t be sure of their absolute cooperation, then it’s safer to keep Bonzo and Kitty in a separate room.

Plants. Many plants have been found to be toxic to dogs, cats and horses. A full list is on the ASPCA website.  Those to be particularly careful of at this time of year are mistletoe (very toxic), holly, ivy, poinsettias and greens such as pine, fir, cedar, juniper and balsam.

Candles. Who doesn’t love candlelight and Christmas? Trouble is, your pet can also be attracted to the flickering flames, or rambunctious pets might knock your candles down. So be sure and place them out of reach so Fido and Fluffy don’t risk burns from flames or hot wax.

Stress. I know that’s an overworked word however, the noise, the bustle, the disruption of normal routine can be very upsetting for some pets. Be aware of your pet’s behavior and have a safe space ready in case it’s needed.

Travel. Perhaps you’re planning to go over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house for the holidays, so be sure and plan for your pets as well. Think twice before taking your pet by plane – cargo holds are not the safest place. Better to leave the “kids” with a sitter or in daycare.

Assuming you’ll be going by car, be sure you have all your pets needs – food, toys, bedding, etc – and add a temporary tag to his collar, with the address of the hotel or home where you’ll be staying and maybe your cell phone number.

Oh, and don’t forget to check first that your pet will actually be allowed to stay with you!

Jennifer Bofinger, media spokeswoman for the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said despite the shabby treatment of deer in general, her organization has not received any complaints about how Santa Claus treats his reindeer. – Los Angeles (LA) Times